More KDDs!

Dec. 16th, 2025 04:30 pm
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Posted by Amanda

Wilde in Love

Wilde in Love by Eloisa James is $1.99 and a KDD! This is the first book in The Wildes of Lindow Castle. Some readers DNF-ed this on Goodreads citing lack of chemistry between the characters or boredom. Several other James romances are also in today’s daily deals.

Lord Alaric Wilde, son of the Duke of Lindow, is the most celebrated man in England, revered for his dangerous adventures and rakish good looks. Arriving home from years abroad, he has no idea of his own celebrity until his boat is met by mobs of screaming ladies. Alaric escapes to his father’s castle, but just as he grasps that he’s not only famous but notorious, he encounters the very private, very witty, Miss Willa Ffynche.

Willa presents the façade of a serene young lady to the world. Her love of books and bawdy jokes is purely for the delight of her intimate friends. She wants nothing to do with a man whose private life is splashed over every newspaper.

Alaric has never met a woman he wanted for his own . . . until he meets Willa. He’s never lost a battle.

But a spirited woman like Willa isn’t going to make it easy. . . .

The first book in Eloisa James’s dazzling new series set in the Georgian period glows with her trademark wit and sexy charm—and introduces a large, eccentric family. Readers will love the Wildes of Lindow Castle!

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

 

 

 

The Day of the Duchess

The Day of the Duchess by Sarah MacLean is $1.99 and a KDD! This is the third book in the Scandal & Scoundrel series. Elyse read this one and ultimately gave it C+, mainly because she couldn’t forgive the hero for his actions:

If you really like a good grovel, this book might be your catnip. As much as I loved Sera and her sisters, I just couldn’t buy the reconciliation

The one woman he will never forget…
Malcolm Bevingstoke, Duke of Haven, has lived the last three years in self-imposed solitude, paying the price for a mistake he can never reverse and a love he lost forever. The dukedom does not wait, however, and Haven requires an heir, which means he must find himself a wife by summer’s end. There is only one problem—he already has one.

The one man she will never forgive…
After years in exile, Seraphina, Duchess of Haven, returns to London with a single goal—to reclaim the life she left and find happiness, unencumbered by the man who broke her heart. Haven offers her a deal; Sera can have her freedom, just as soon as she finds her replacement…which requires her to spend the summer in close quarters with the husband she does not want, but somehow cannot resist.

A love that neither can deny…
The duke has a single summer to woo his wife and convince her that, despite their broken past, he can give her forever, making every day The Day of the Duchess.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

 

 

 

The Ride of Her Life

The Ride of Her Life by Jennifer Dugan is $1.99 and a KDD! This is a f/f romance with some Western flair. Lots of tropes in this one like enemies to lovers and grumpy/sunshine. It came out last year. Did any of you read this one?

Molly McDaniel’s life is falling apart. Between her day job as a barista, her night job at a call center, and her crushing student loans, she’s barely getting by. And that dream she has of starting a wedding event planning business? The dream that led to all those student loan in the first place? She can feel it slipping farther and farther out of reach every day. So the absolute last thing she needs is to discover she’s inherited a run-down, struggling horse barn out of the blue, courtesy of her estranged late aunt.

Molly is so ill-equipped to run the barn, it’s laughable. She certainly doesn’t have the money, time or knowledge needed to save it, no matter how much faith everyone who loved her aunt has that she will. But the more Molly gets involved, the more she starts to wonder: maybe the barn is a blessing in disguise. If she can sell the land, the profits could be the small-business seed money miracle she’s been waiting for. So what if she’s starting to love everyone in the mismatched family she’s found here?

Well, everyone except Shani, the resident farrier and family friend who took care of Molly’s aunt in her last days. Judgmental, grouchy Shani, who refuses to give up on the barn; who walks around like she so much better than Molly; who’s actually really good with the horses…and kind of thoughtful. And obnoxiously hot. And unfailingly loyal.

And suddenly, Shani has become an entirely different kind of problem, one Molly can’t possibly solve, not without risking her whole future, no matter how much her heart wishes she could.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

 

 

 

Immortal

Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan is $1.99! This fantasy romance was released in January and was mentioned on Hide Your Wallet. Tan’s books always have beautiful covers. This is the only non-KDD here.

A stunning, standalone romantic fantasy filled with dangerous secrets, forbidden magic, and passion, of a young ruler who fights to protect her kingdom, from bestselling author Sue Lynn Tan and set in the breathtaking world of Daughter of the Moon Goddess.

“What the gods did not give us, I would take.”

As the heir to Tianxia, Liyen knows she must ascend the throne and renew her kingdom’s pledge to serve the immortals who once protected them from a vicious enemy. But when she is poisoned, Liyen’s grandfather steals an enchanted lotus to save her life. Enraged at his betrayal, the immortal queen commands the powerful God of War to attack Tianxia.

Upon her grandfather’s death, Liyen ascends a precarious throne, vowing to end her kingdom’s obligation to the immortals. When she is summoned to the Immortal Realm, she seizes the opportunity to learn their secrets and to form a tenuous alliance to safeguard her people, all with the one she should fear and mistrust the most: the ruthless God of War. As they are drawn together, a treacherous attraction ignites between them—one she has to resist, to not endanger all she is fighting for.

But with darker forces closing in around them, and her kingdom plunged into peril, Liyen must risk everything to save her people from an unspeakable fate, even if it means forging a dangerous bond with the immortal… even if it means losing her heart.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

 

 

 

Away In A Bakery

Dec. 16th, 2025 02:00 pm
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Posted by Jen

With all the hustle and bustle at this time of year, it's important to remember the real reason for the Christmas season:

Wait. That doesn't seem right...

 

Erm...

 

To be fair, if you sound that out you get "Juices."

So there's that.

 

Now I'm getting confused.

 

Chusl, I don't even know anymore.

 

Thanks to Barbara P., Stacy N., Nicole K., Amanda D., & Amy A. for having the presents of mind to take these pictures.

*****

P.S. In case this post wasn't painful enough:

Exceptionally Bad Dad Jokes

There are a lot of "dad joke" books out there, but this one has awesome ratings AND the word "spiffing" on the cover, so it's a clear winner.

*****

And from my other blog, Epbot:

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Posted by Amanda

This HaBO request is from Maureen, who is looking for this historical romance. Content warning for the description below:

I hope that you can help me identify this book. It is historical romance novel.

The heroine and hero have a marriage of convenience. The wife was married very young, briefly to a fortune hunter who died. She still keeps his portrait in her dressing room. The husband loves a married woman who gets pregnant and dies. He leaves his wife. She has lovers.

The husband returns and wants to consummate the marriage, but the wife does not want to. He is frustrated and goes to a former mistress, but decides not to have intercourse with her.

The husband and wife go to a house party. The wife’s brother is there. I think her current lover is also there. The husband’s former lover is there and sneaks into his bathroom. The wife kicks her out. The wife decides to leave with her brother. She finds him in his carriage with a young woman he is abducting.

They all go back to London, and eventually everything works out. I thought this was an Eloisa James book, such as This Duchess of Mine, but it is not that book. It is also not Sylvia Day’s The Stranger I Married.

I’m very curious how on earth the main couple resolves their differences.

KDD Highlights

Dec. 15th, 2025 04:30 pm
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Posted by Amanda

The Blighted Stars

RECOMMENDED: The Blighted Stars by Megan E. O’Keefe is $2.99 and a KDD! Elyse loved this scifi with romantic elements and gave it an A, but gave a warning:

The Blighted Stars is the first book in a series, so we don’t get a ton of resolution in this novel, romantic or otherwise. If you’re looking for a complete romantic arc, don’t start this book.

When a spy is stranded on a dead planet with her mortal enemy, she must first figure out how to survive before she can uncover the conspiracy that landed them both there in the first place.

She’s a revolutionary. Humanity is running out of options. Habitable planets are being destroyed as quickly as they’re found and Naira Sharp knows the reason why. The all-powerful Mercator family has been controlling the exploration of the universe for decades, and exploiting any materials they find along the way under the guise of helping humanity’s expansion. But Naira knows the truth, and she plans to bring the whole family down from the inside.

He’s the heir to the dynasty. Tarquin Mercator never wanted to run a galaxy-spanning business empire. He just wanted to study rocks and read books. But Tarquin’s father has tasked him with monitoring the mining of a new planet, and he doesn’t really have a choice in the matter.

Disguised as Tarquin’s new bodyguard, Naira plans to destroy his ship before it lands. But neither of them expects to end up stranded on a dead planet. To survive and keep her secret, Naira will have to join forces with the man she’s sworn to hate. And together they will uncover a plot that’s bigger than both of them.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

 

 

 

August Lane

August Lane by Regina Black is $2.99 and a KDD! This is a standalone contemporary with a second chance romance and a backdrop of country music. It released over the summer.

For fans of Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter and The Final Revival of Opal & Nev, a Southern small-town romance about the visibility of Black women’s voices in country music, and “the best romance I’ve read all year.” (The New York Times).

Every Thursday night, former country music heartthrob Luke Randall has to sing “Another Love Song.” God, he hates that song. But performing his lone hit at an interstate motel lounge is the only regular money he still has. Following another lackluster performance at the rock bottom of his career, Luke receives the opportunity of his dreams, opening for his childhood idol—90’s era Black country music star, JoJo Lane, who’s being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. But the concert is in Arcadia, Arkansas, the small hometown he swore he’d never see again. Going back means facing a painful past of abuse and neglect. It also means facing JoJo’s daughter, August Lane—the woman who wrote the lyrics he’s always claimed as his own.

August also hates that song. But she hates Luke Randall even more. When he shows up ten years too late to apologize for his betrayal, she isn’t interested in making amends. Instead, she threatens to expose his lies unless he co-writes a new song with her and performs it at the concert, something she hopes will launch her out of her mother’s shadow and into a songwriting career of her own. Desperate to keep his secret, Luke agrees to put on the rogue performance, despite the risk of losing his shot at a new record deal.

When Luke’s guitar reunites with August’s soulful alto, neither can deny that the passionate bond they formed as teenagers is still there. As the concert nears, August will have to choose between an overdue public reckoning with the boy who betrayed her, or trusting the man he’s become to write a different love song.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

 

 

 

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by NK Jemisin is $ 2.99 and a KDD! This is a fantasy novel with a bit of romance and a strong, fierce heroine who is MUCH loved by readers. This book was nominated for the Hugo, the Nebula, and won the Locus for Best First Novel.

Yeine Darr is an outcast from the barbarian north. But when her mother dies under mysterious circumstances, she is summoned to the majestic city of Sky. There, to her shock, Yeine is named an heiress to the king. But the throne of the Hundred Thousand Kingdoms is not easily won, and Yeine is thrust into a vicious power struggle with cousins she never knew she had.

As she fights for her life, she draws ever closer to the secrets of her mother’s death and her family’s bloody history.

With the fate of the world hanging in the balance, Yeine will learn how perilous it can be when love and hate – and gods and mortals – are bound inseparably together.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

 

 

 

Drop Dead Sisters

Drop Dead Sisters by Amelia Diane Coombs is $2.99 and the only non-KDD out of the bunch! I know we’ve mentioned this on the site, but I can’t remember in what capacity. Three estranged sisters reunite on a camping trip, only for the night to end in murder!

“Compulsively readable, Drop Dead Sisters is perfect for readers who love shows like Bad Sisters and Dead to Me. A mystery about three estranged sisters who accidentally kill someone? Yes, please.” —Mindy Kaling

Three sisters reunite on a family vacation and rekindle their relationship the only way they know how—by covering each other’s tracks in a real-life murder mystery not even they can figure out.

Remi Finch has spent the better part of her adult life avoiding family—especially her sisters. They just don’t click. Besides, her unconventional upbringing and major anxiety have convinced Remi that she can’t build a relationship with anyone. Period.

When her parents plan a family reunion camping trip to celebrate their anniversary, Remi’s willing to reconnect, if only because she doesn’t have a choice. But then a dead body turns up at their campsite, and their sisterly bonding kicks into high gear.

No one knows the whole story, but the Finch women are prepared to cover up the pieces before anyone tries to put them together. It’s a precautionary measure, probably unnecessary. Nobody else was there, so how could they have seen anything?

Between old grudges and new dynamics, a handsome park ranger, and a body that won’t stay hidden, Remi is about to learn that nothing strengthens family ties quite like crime.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

 

 

 

Rising to the Occasion

Dec. 15th, 2025 02:00 pm
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Posted by Jen

[WARNING: Those blessed/cursed with a dirty mind are going to find this post hee-LARIOUS - but should probably clear the room of innocents first. Remember, Santa is watching, kids.]

 

There's just something about this time of year, am I right? Crackling fires in every fireplace, romantic twinkly lights in all the trees, and of course, skin-tight Santa suits. Yep. This, my friends, is the season... OF LURRRVE.

And a good thing, too. After all, it makes us more giving:

(Step 1: Cut a hole in the box.)

 

More attentive:

"Yes, deer."

 

And even when we're feeling a bit knotty:

[insert 'morning wood' joke here]

... we know this is the time when its better to bury the hatchet, not leave.

 

Yes, it's the season for dropping the underpants of our emotional reticence, and letting the ding-a-ling of our love shine out.

(Oh, it's happy, all right.)

 

I guess what I'm trying to say here, my friends, is that Rudolph has a giant wang on his face:

And you've just gotta love that.

 

Thanks to Sarah L., Nick, Bridget F., Luke, & C for taking a firm upper hand with these rascally wrecks.

******

P.S. Speaking of things that are dirty, I have to introduce you to the handiest little kitchen gadget for under $8:

Dishwasher "Dirty/Clean" Slider Bar

The whole thing is magnetic, and it also comes with a double-sided adhesive for non-metallic machines. Also comes in black, and there's a prettier cursive option if you don't like the bright red/green!

*******

And from my other blog, Epbot:

Cover Snark: A Big Hat Special!

Dec. 15th, 2025 07:00 am
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Posted by Amanda

Welcome back to Cover Snark!

My Cowboy Groom by Zoey Grant. A shirtless, bearded man in jeans with his arms crossed. He's standing in front of a sparse forest and a big jagged mountain. A very smooth western style hat is on his head.

From Karen H, who sourced this cover set: “I noticed My Cowboy Groom has a cowboy hat that is not oriented properly (he’s looking to his right but the hat is straight on plus it sits too high.

Sarah: This is too big and photoshopped on, right?

Wait, none of the guys on the covers of this series know how to wear a hat.

My Cowboy Kiss by Zoey Grant. A shirtless man in denim. His chest is very tan, like two or three shades darker than his face. He's looking off to the side and is wearing a western style hat. The background is a lush forest and snowy mountain range.

Karen H: then I noticed My Cowboy Kiss has the same hat in the same orientation. It just looks almost okay because the model is looking to his left where the hat brim sticks up. But I think that is a side flare and not the actual front of the hat.

Sarah: LOL the Cowboy Kiss hat is on straight while he’s looking to the side

Elyse: That is not the right hat for this genre, sir.

 

My Cowboy Boss by Zoey Grant. A shirtless man in jeans standing in front of a flowery field and a mountain. It looks like a western style hat has been photoshopped on.

Karen H: And on My Cowboy Boss the inner lining of the hat looks visible.

Amanda: It looks like there’s a hat within the hat. Hat-ception

Sarah: It is FLOATING on his head. Is he the boss of gravity?

Maybe if he takes off his hat there’s another hat, and another, and another.

 

Sunday Sweets: Polar Opposites

Dec. 14th, 2025 02:00 pm
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Posted by Sharyn

There are few things in this world that can be stated with absolute certainty, but two of them are:

(By Jen's Party Cakes)

 

1) This polar bear is freakin' adorable...

and

(By CMNY Cakes)

 

2) These penguins ROCK! 

Well, if penguins and polar bears are so great separately, doesn't it follow that they'd be even better together?

(By Cakes by Roxanne)


"But, wait!" someone will say, "You can't put polar bears and penguins together! They're from different poles! They are, in fact, polar opposites."

Well, someone -- can I call you "someone?" -- I say if we can put a man on the moon, then we can find a way to get these kids together!

We just need to find a mode of transportation.

Maybe the penguins could hitch a ride with an orca:

(By The Chocolate Moose)

 
...or grab the tail of a bright blue whale:

(By Cakes by Maylene)

 

A jolly gentleman with a recently emptied sleigh might stop by with friends and take a few penguins home for a visit:

(By Cakes by Samantha)

 

Or perhaps this cool chick will take a wrong turn using Apple Maps and stumble into a penguin colony:

(By Choccywoccydoodah)

 

Of course, if you think it might be too hard to get a polar bear to pull a sled full of penguins, we could always ask some sled dogs:

(By The EvIl Plankton)

Who knows?  They might be tired of running around Alaska.

 

But maybe we're being too complicated. The penguins could just hop a ship:

(By Charm City Cakes)

 

They wouldn't even have to dock. Just pull up alongside a handy iceberg!

(By Highland Bakery)

 ...and voilá!

 

See, now that I've explained how we could make this work, it's not all that far-fetched, is it?

So the next time you find yourself taking a little vacation way up north...

(By Nice Icing)

 

...and you see this gang hanging out together:

(By The Couture Cakery)

Chillax. It's totally cool.

May your Sunday be super cool!

*****

I need y'all to see these super adorable scarf hoods - with built-in pocket mittens!

3-in-1 Animal Hat, Scarf & Mitten Combo

You can choose from lots of colors and styles, from just ears and paws to full animal heads on top. Click the link to see the rest, I especially love the fox & leopard.

icon community promo: retro_icontest

Dec. 14th, 2025 11:43 am
tinny: Something Else holding up its colorful drawing - "be different" (Default)
[personal profile] tinny posting in [site community profile] dw_community_promo

[community profile] retro_icontest - Blast From The Past Icontests - is once more embarking on
The Icon Quest
Are you ready to ride? Pack your satchel of art supplies and join us in another round of the Icon Quest!



Looking for more places to make icons? Here is the list of currently active iconmaking communities on dw: https://icontalking.dreamwidth.org/46317.html
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Posted by Amanda

The latest bestseller list is brought to you by heating pads, mugs of your hot beverage of choice, and our affiliate sales data.

  1. These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean Amazon | B&N | Kobo
  2. Good Spirits by B.K. Borison Amazon | B&N | Kobo
  3. Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone Amazon | B&N | Kobo
  4. Hitwoman by Elsie Marks Amazon | B&N | Kobo
  5. The Second Death of Locke by V.L. Bovalino Amazon | B&N | Kobo
  6. Birding with Benefits by Sarah Dubb Amazon | B&N | Kobo
  7. Copper Script by KJ Charles Amazon | B&N | Kobo
  8. A Delicate Deception by Cat Sebastian Amazon | B&N | Kobo | GooglePlay
  9. The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood Amazon | B&N | Kobo
  10. The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones Amazon | B&N | Kobo | GooglePlay

I hope your weekend reading was cozy!

Sunday Sale Digest!

Dec. 14th, 2025 08:00 am
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Posted by Amanda

This piece of literary mayhem is exclusive to Smart Bitches After Dark, but fret not. If you'd like to join, we'd love to have you!

Have a look at our membership options, and come join the fun!

If you want to have a little extra fun, be a little more yourself, and be part of keeping the site open for everyone in the future, we can’t wait to see you in our new subscription-based section with exclusive content and events.

Everything you’re used to seeing at the Hot Pink Palace that is Smart Bitches Trashy Books will remain free as always, because we remain committed to fostering community among brilliant readers who love romance.

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Posted by SB Sarah

A frame with a picture of The Ladies, plus a lit menorah against a blue and white background. At the top it says Hanukkah 2025Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah!

Get ready, we’re going into the new year with candles and jelly donuts and latkes and it’s going to be a party!

Like last year, I’ve put together eight care packages designed to make your winter more fun, mellow, warm, and entertaining.

Just in time for the beginning of 2026!

First: my Hanukkah wishes for you tonight and for the next eight: may each candle lit lead to another and another, until we have all connected to bathe the world in light and warmth. May there be peace in our lifetime.

Now, let’s talk about what’s in the care packages. I used to be super great at care packages because my kids went to sleepaway camp – not the type of camp where the care packages included Gucci bags and Loro Piana slippers wrapped in an Hermes scarf or anything – and I LOVED putting them together.

I still sort of send care packages now that they’re in college because I have to send them things pretty regularly, but that’s a small item in a bubble mailer. This is a whole ass box. 

So what’s in the care package?

I’m not telling!

Well, I’ll share some details so you know what to expect, but some of it will be a surprise. It might rhyme with “schmeggo.”

In keeping with my wishes for all of you to have a cozy and warm 2026, the care packages will include:

  • things that are fuzzy
  • things that are warm
  • things that are soothing
  • things that are fizzy
  • things that are indulgent
  • things that are fun!

And, like last year, I reached out to folks I know in publishing, and have assorted books, of course! There will be several books in each package, including some major titles from this year. And maybe an ARC or two (shhh!).

This is a way for me to thank you for being part of yet another lovely year here at SBTB. We are still here, and it’s because of you hanging out with us each day. It’s been a big year, and we’re looking forward to more mayhem and silliness in 2026!

SO, ready to enter to win?

To enter, please comment and tell us what book (or recommendation of any sort!) that you found at SBTB that you most enjoyed?

It doesn’t have to be a 2024 book, of course. Any book that you haven’t read is a new book! But what did you discover this year at SBTB that you really liked?

Standard disclaimers apply: We are not being compensated for this giveaway. Void where prohibited. Open to international residents where permitted by applicable law. Must be over 18 and ready to be warm and cozy. May cause increased feelings of security, warmth, and delight.

Comments will close 21 December 2025 at or near 11:59am ET, and winners will be announced shortly afterward. Packages will be shipped out in January 2026.

Thank you to the indefatigable Kristen Dwyer of LeoPR for their generosity!

Good luck, Happy Hanukkah, and thank you for being part of Smart Bitches! May you have a lovely holiday, and for everyone, a peaceful new year.

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Posted by Amanda

Cozy winter still life: cup of hot coffee and book with warm plaid on windowsill against snow landscape from outside.Welcome back! It’s our first Whatcha Reading of the month, and that means only one more to go before 2026. Here’s what we’re reading:

Lara: I’m reading and enjoying Dom-Com by Adriana Anders. ( A | BN | K | AB ) I’m finding the growth of trust and intimacy in this book particularly great. There’s a lot of (hot) sex/scenes but each one pushes the characters development and evolution.

Elyse: I’m reading Audition by Katie Kitamura. ( A | BN | K | AB ) It’s not romance but I’ve heard multiple people say it’s wonderful and its shortlisted for the Booker Prize.

It’s also 200 pages which is right where my attention span is right now.

Amanda: I’ve been using my TBR game board and landed on “continue a series.” Throne of Secrets by Kerri Maniscalco ( A | BN | K | AB ) is book two in the Prince of Sin series and I really enjoyed book one. My only gripe is that it’s hardcover and lugging it around is less than ideal.

Carrie: I’m polishing off The Novel Life of Jane Austen: A Graphic Biography by Janine Barchas and Isabel Greenberg ( A | BN | K ) and it is delightful.

Sarah: I’m currently reading Magic and Mischief at the Wayside Hotel, which I just started. I think I might have a thing for “magical hotel/boarding house” stories. I know I like innkeeping stories – one of my favorite Nora’s is Born in Ice, about a woman who runs a bed & breakfast, though magic isn’t a major plot point. I’m very curious about where this book is going.

Magic and Mischief at the Wayside Hotel
A | BN | K | AB
Shana: So I’m currently hate reading Fascinating Womanhood, ( A ) an anti-feminist self help guide published in 1963. It is WILD.

Sarah: I’m both intrigued and alarmed.

Shana: I can’t really recommend it. The book feels a bit like if NXIVM and a religious cult had a baby, and that baby spoke with hyperbolic mania.

I’m at the point where the author explains that men’s ideal woman has the “charms of femininity, radiance, good health, and childlikeness.” Also domestic skills and inner happiness.

So a child in a frilly dress, who happily scrubs floors using her healthy body and knowledge of cleaning supplies.

Sarah: Yikes on trikes.

Whatcha reading right now? Tell us in the comments!

Mood Theme in a Year Returns!

Dec. 12th, 2025 07:26 pm
soc_puppet: A calendar page for January 2024 with emojis on various dates (Mood Theme in a Year)
[personal profile] soc_puppet posting in [site community profile] dw_community_promo
[community profile] moodthemeinayear is coming back in 2026 with a new twist: Creating a custom mood theme can now earn you Dreamwidth points!

Mood Theme in a Year is a community that takes a laid-back approach to creating a custom mood theme. If you've always wanted to create your own mood theme (those little images that pop up when you select something from the drop-down "Mood" menu when posting), this is a great place to do it! Take your time creating graphics for anywhere between 15 and 132 moods, either following the community's suggested schedule or going at your own pace. (Though you need to make a minimum of 18 graphics to earn any paid time.)

The "official" schedule starts again from the beginning on January 1st, but you can jump in at any time during the year; feel free to challenge yourself as well with Bingo cards or the Mood Theme in a Month calendars! Learn more in the community pinned post or profile.

I hope to see you there!
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Posted by SB Sarah

This piece of literary mayhem is exclusive to Smart Bitches After Dark, but fret not. If you'd like to join, we'd love to have you!

Have a look at our membership options, and come join the fun!

If you want to have a little extra fun, be a little more yourself, and be part of keeping the site open for everyone in the future, we can’t wait to see you in our new subscription-based section with exclusive content and events.

Everything you’re used to seeing at the Hot Pink Palace that is Smart Bitches Trashy Books will remain free as always, because we remain committed to fostering community among brilliant readers who love romance.

Sports Romance, Ghost Hunting, & More

Dec. 12th, 2025 04:30 pm
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Posted by Amanda

The Love Wager

The Love Wager by Lynn Painter is $1.99! This is a contemporary romance with some friends to lovers and fake dating elements. Fingers crossed this deal lasts!

Hallie Piper is turning over a new leaf. After belly-crawling out of a hotel room (hello, rock bottom), she decides it’s time to become a full-on adult. She gets a new apartment, a new haircut, and a new wardrobe, but when she logs onto the dating app that she has determined will find her new love, she sees none other than Jack, the guy whose room she snuck out of.

After agreeing they are absolutely not interested in each other, Jack and Hallie realize they’re each other’s perfect wing-person in their searches for The One. They text each other about their dates, often scheduling them at the same restaurant so that if things don’t go well, the two of them can get tacos afterward.

Spoiler: they get a lot of tacos together.

Discouraged by the lack of prospects, Jack and Hallie make a wager to see who can find true love first, but when they agree to be fake dates for a weekend wedding, all bets are off. As they pretend to be a couple, lines become blurred and they both struggle to remember why the other was a bad idea to begin with.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

 

 

 

The Right Player

The Right Player by Kandi Steiner is $2.99! This is a sports romance and book two in the Love of the Game series.

I have a three date rule — but it’s not what you think.

See, I’ve been told I’m the “good time girl,” not the one you take home to Mom. And while that label stung at first, I’ve since embraced it — living the wild and free life and sticking to a three date max. That’s just enough time to have some fun and snuff out the possibility of catching feelings. And it’s been working for me for years…

Until Makoa Kumaka.

Sadly, he also has a three date rule — and it’s the exact opposite of mine. From the second I meet him, all I can think about is stripping down that six-foot-five Herculean hunk of a man. But like the gentleman I wish he wasn’t, he’s making me wait.

The more time we spend together, the more I feel those pesky emotions creeping in. I’m even tempted to trust him, but blame it on my past or my instincts, I can’t shake the feeling that he’s hiding something…

I’ve been playing the game forever, and no man has ever won my heart — which meant they never had the power to break it.

But maybe I just hadn’t met the right player.

Maybe I’ll wish I never did.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

 

 

 

Haunt Your Heart Out

Haunt Your Heart Out by Amber Roberts is $1.99! This is a romance between a ghost hunter and a heroine who is about to take ownership of her favorite bookstore, set in small town Vermont.

Everyone Lex McCall knows always moves on from their sleepy Vermont hometown. Unable to imagine a life outside of her quiet bookshop job, Lex has one rule for no tourists, newcomers or anyone bound to leave her behind.

One day she hitches a ride with a handsome stranger from out of town, and when he stops by the bookshop a few days later, Lex finds herself questioning this rule.

It turns out James is not just any tourist but a ghost-hunting filmmaker looking into the town’s “haunted” landmarks including the bookshop she works in. Lex can’t resist tampering with his research, especially because these so-called ghosts are made-up stories from an anonymous vlog she started as a teenager and if her secret gets out, it could ruin her chances of owning the bookshop one day. After all, James’s stay is only temporary and her career dreams come first.

But as they spend more time together, Lex realises she’s falling for James. Worse, his mission isn’t as frivolous as it seems and her interference may cost him much more than a spooky story.

Will her ghost-faking secret be the end of them?

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

 

 

 

The Siren

The Siren by Katherine St. John is $1.99! This one is a mystery novel. Elyse loved St. John’s first book, but be warned that despite the fun colorful cover, these are pretty dark.

From Katherine St. John, author of The Lion’s Den, comes another sublimely escapist thriller: When dangerously handsome megastar Cole Power hires his ex-wife Stella Rivers to play opposite him in his son’s film, he sparks a firestorm on an isolated island that will unearth long-buried secretsand unravel years of lies.

In the midst of a sizzling hot summer, some of Hollywood’s most notorious faces are assembled on the idyllic Caribbean island of St. Genesius to film The Siren. Written and directed by Cole Power’s son, the thriller promises to entice audiences with its sultry storyline and intimately connected cast.

Three very different women arrive on set, each with her own motive. Stella, an infamously unstable actress, is struggling to reclaim the career she lost in the wake of multiple, very public breakdowns. Taylor, a fledgling producer, is anxious to work on a film she hopes will turn her career around after her last job ended in scandal. And Felicity, Stella’s mysterious new assistant, harbors designs of her own that threaten to upend all their plans.

With a hurricane brewing offshore, each woman finds herself trapped on the island, united against a common enemy. But as deceptions come to light, misplaced trust may prove more perilous than the storm itself.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

 

 

 

HIT IT WITH THE ROCK

Dec. 12th, 2025 02:00 pm
[syndicated profile] cakewrecks_feed

Posted by john (the hubby of Jen)

 
 
 

Thanks to Steven C., Elizabeth E., and Jennifer S. for remembering that it could always be worse.

*****

And from my other blog, Epbot:

[syndicated profile] smartbitches_feed

Posted by SB Sarah

Blue gift box with silver ribbonWe’re back with more Holiday Wishes! This week we’re talking with Rae A., Josephine, and Sneezy!

This week we are talking romance bookstores and road trips, luxurious bidets, webtoons, and, of course, books. And some ranting about women artists in history.

We are traveling as far as Taiwan in this episode – and this should be the last of my laryngitis – hooray for all of us!

Updates? Updates!

Thanks to your Patreon pledges, we have reached our goal with the F’ICE campaign, and all dynamic ads will be turned off permanently for everyone who listens. Thank you so much!

You can gift a Patreon membership if you’re so inclined! A lovely gift for someone you know who loves the show.

AND! The Smart Bitches Candle Collection is LIVE! I partnered with Wax Cabin Candle Company, an independent small chandlery, to offer two limited edition candles just for the holiday season!

A black 11oz jar candle with the bad decisions book club logo on it - a burgundy book open like a tent with light coming out, with just one more page written on the sideThey are on sale now through early January, and you can buy one or both in a gift set! And they are going very fast! 

The Smart Bitches 20th Anniversary candle is an 11 ounce hand poured soy candle with notes of sea salt, book pages, sandalwood and jasmine.

The Bad Decisions Book Club candle, also 11 ounces, is designed to be the perfect pairing for late night reading, with scents of sweet tobacco, book pages, leather, rose, and sandalwood. I had a marvelous time picking out the scents.

So if you’re looking for the perfect gift for yourself or the book lovers in your life, check out the 2025 Smart Bitches Candle collection. You can shop small, support the site, and spread light and warmth this year.

 

Listen to the podcast →
Read the transcript →

Here are the books we discuss in this podcast:

We also discussed:

If you like the podcast, you can subscribe to our feed, or find us at iTunes. You can also find us on Stitcher, and Spotify, too. We also have a cool page for the podcast on iTunes.

More ways to sponsor:

Sponsor us through Patreon! (What is Patreon?)

What did you think of today's episode? Got ideas? Suggestions? You can talk to us on the blog entries for the podcast or talk to us on Facebook if that's where you hang out online. You can email us at sbjpodcast@gmail.com or you can call and leave us a message at our Google voice number: 201-371-3272. Please don't forget to give us a name and where you're calling from so we can work your message into an upcoming podcast.

Thanks for listening!

Remember to subscribe to our podcast feed, find us on iTunes or on Stitcher.
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Posted by Amanda

The Kraken’s Sacrifice

The Kraken’s Sacrifice by Katee Robert is $2.49! This is book two in the Deal with a Demon series. This is under 200 pages and feels like a rare miss from Robert, based on the Goodreads review average.

Catalina only made her deal with the demon because she had nowhere else to go. The world has kicked her every chance it got, so she’s all too happy to leave the realm she knows behind. What’s the worst that could happen?

She doesn’t anticipate being auctioned away to a kraken.

Thane is cold and distant…but he’s not unkind. Isolated as they are, Catalina finds herself seeking his company again and again. And when she finally agrees to uphold her portion of the bargain?

That’s when things get really interesting.

But she only gave the demon seven years, and when the time is up, she’ll have no choice but to leave behind the kraken who’s stolen her heart and return to the world that doesn’t want her.

Author’s Note: For all tropes, tags, and CWs, please check the author’s website.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

 

 

 

Tempting Olivia

Tempting Olivia by Clare Ashton is $3.49! This is book two in the f/f contemporary Oxford Romance series. Many of Ashton’s books have been mentioned and recommended on the site.

Olivia Sachdeva’s life is flawless. With a first from Oxford and as the youngest partner at Bentley lawyers, she expects high standards from everyone. Her only indulgences are eating iced desserts and repeat watching romcoms, especially those featuring Kate Laurence – pure escapism and cinematic perfection.

But, when the actor walks into Olivia’s office with a bag full of divorce and a messy personal life, that perfect bubble bursts. Kate seems nothing like the screen goddesses she plays, and Olivia must put aside her comfort viewing and handle the case like the true professional she is.

It requires secrecy, especially with indiscreet friends. Will best-friend Charlotte ever read the room? And will Millie, who instantly reads the room, ever stop commenting loudly?

And Kate? She doesn’t know what to think about this frosty lawyer. But she needs a quick divorce from a mistake of a marriage, which was over before it started, and Olivia Sachdeva is the best.

But little by little, Olivia and Kate glimpse behind the mask, to find someone they weren’t looking for, who may not even be perfect, but might be the right person for them.

Read as a stand-alone romance or book two of the Oxford Romance series.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

 

 

 

A Little Too Late

A Little Too Late by Sarina Bowen is $2.49! This is book one in the Madigan Mountain series. It’s a small town, second chance romance. Are you familiar with this series?

New from twenty-time USA Today bestseller Sarina Bowen!

How to behave when the guy who broke your heart two thousand miles away turns up in your office:

One: Don’t drop your lucky coffee cup in shock, even though it’s been ten years.

Two: Don’t get defensive when he asks how you ended up working his family’s ski mountain… and why you kept it a secret.

Three: Give him the worst room in the resort. He deserves it for suddenly waltzing back in like he owns the place. (Which he kind of does.)

Four, five, six, seven, eight and nine: Do not kiss him in the hot tub.

Ten: Try to keep your heart intact after you break all of your rules.

Because Reed is leaving again. Hate can’t turn back into love. And it’s a little too late…

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

 

 

 

The Brat

The Brat by Lynsay Sands is $1.99! This is a medieval romance and doesn’t appear to be part of a series. It was originally published in 2007.

Rumor has it that Lady Murie, King Edward III’s goddaughter, is stunningly beautiful, with bright blue eyes, golden hair, and a bewitching smile. Rumor also has it that the doting king has spoiled her rotten. When Sir Balan spies her wailing and sobbing in public, he decides that Lady Murie is the last person he would ever wish to have as a bride.

But there is far more to Murie than meets the eye—and soon Balan discovers, to his great delight, that he’d be lucky indeed to deserve such a bride. Unfortunately, he’s not the only one to discern this truth . . . and the other suitor is much less honorable. Now a plot is afoot and Balan must prove himself a chivalrous knight and win the love of Lady Murie. . .

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

 

 

 

HE SEES YOU: A Holiday Horror Story

Dec. 11th, 2025 02:00 pm
[syndicated profile] cakewrecks_feed

Posted by Jen

[movie announcer guy]:  

This Christmas... 

get ready...

for a one horse...

open...

SLAY.

"AAAIIIIEEEEE!!"

 

Run as fast as you can...

[insane giggling]

 

And don't go outside:

"ZOMBIE PENGUIN!"

 

And never...

"THEY'RE COMING!"

    

EVER...

"Oh, thank goodness we found you, Santa! ....Santa?"

"AAAAAIIIIEEEEE!!!!"

 

...FALL ASLEEP.

"He's not real. He's not real. HE'S NOT REAL."

"He's... right behind me, isn't he?

"Great. Juuuuust great."

 

[child singing]

He sees you when you're sleeping

He know when you're awake

He knows if you've been bad or good,

So be good...

 ...OR DIE.

Thanks to Erinn M., Aymara A., Gene H., Ben & Janelle, Chandria D., Zach R., Ann H., & Shannon S., who better watch out, and they better not cry, because wusses get left behind.

******

And from my other blog, Epbot:

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